Bolton Union Workhouse Fishpool Estate near Farnworth

In 1856 the Guardians of the Bolton Union began negotiations for the purchase of Fishpool Farm, a church-owned property at Farnworth. The negotiations lasted some two years before the site was finally purchased for £2,800. The corner stone for the workhouse was laid on 8 September 1858 and the opening performed by Dan Wood Latham on 26 September 1861. Built to accommodate 1045 inmates, the final cost was approximately ,25,000

BOLTON UNION - PLANS FOR A NEW WORKHOUSE - TO ARCHITECTS - The Guardians of the Bolton Union will at their Meeting to be held on Wednesday next, the 3rd day of February, at twelve o'clock be Prepared to ENTER into a CONTRACT with some competent person to Make PLANS and General SPECIFICATIONS for a New Workhouse. The Workhouse is intended to house 1000 inmates, and the total cost (exclusive of the purchase of the land) is not to exceed £18,000 and to be built after the style of the interior of the Chorlton Union workhouse and of the exterior of Barnsley Union workhouse.* Persons willing to contract with the Guardians for making the plans and specifications referred to are requested to send in their terms to the Clerk on or before Tuesday the 2nd of February Instant. By Order of the Board. JOHN WOODHOUSE, Clerk. Union Offices 11 Acresfield, Bolton. January 28 1858

Reference           Manchester Guardian Friday 29 January 1858 Page 1 (Contracts)